Hi everybody and welcome. While the northeast digs out and recovers from last week’s massive snowstorm, they were challenged by yet another blow this week. Heavy rains on top of all the snow that fell caused all kinds of havoc from collapsing roofs to flooding. The heavy rains in New Jersey are causing a lot of concern for those living along the Millstone River. The towns affected are Millstone and Blackwells Mills. I remember as a kid hearing about the severe flooding that often occurred in this area. The Millstone River is very prone to flooding when you have heavy rains and melting snow combined together. The river is forecast to crest about 6inches above flood stage on Monday, February 24th. The Philadelphia area received about 1.87 inches of rain and 28 inches of snow during the month of February.
The squall line that passed through our area on Saturday night was very intense but short lived. During its peak, I recorded a peak rainfall rate of 11.7 inches per hour. The total rainfall for the storm was .94 inches or just under an inch. The storm then moved on to Martin County where the heavy rains pounded the area for about 30 minutes. I spoke to Ross Deprey of the Glenwood area of Stuart who said the rain rates reached 7 –8 inches per hour at the peak of the storm. He also reported some ponding of water in the Glenwood apartment complex.
This week is National Weather Awareness week. The purpose of this event is to make us aware of the dangerous weather the spring and summer months can bring us in Florida. What should you do? One of the first things is to review your emergency plans and check your stock of emergency supplies. Discuss with your family what to do in case of severe weather such as tornados or hurricanes. You should also be sure you have plenty of batteries and canned goods plus bottled water in case of a prolonged power outage.
This week’s discussion will be on tornados. Most of the tornados in Florida occur during the months of June, July and August. Most of Florida tornados are short lived and don’t usually do much property damage. The most deadly tornados in Florida occur during the spring. With El Nino in full swing this year, more tornados then normal can be expected this year in Florida.
Historically, the most dangerous tornados in Florida will occur in February, March and April. That is why it is so important to review your emergency plans now. A NOAA weather radio is an excellent tool to get up to the minute emergency information and warnings.
The deadliest tornado to hit Central Florida occurred on February 22-23, 1998. The storm system on those dates spawned 7 tornados that killed 42 people in Volusia, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.
The best way to protect you from these dangerous storms is to listen to local TV or National Weather Service broadcasts on NOAA weather radio. I say it again; NOAA weather radio is your best defense and fastest way to get timely warnings of approaching tornados. If you receive no warning and severe weather is approaching, the telltale roar or rumbling sound is usually an indication of an approaching tornado. If you hear this or receive a warning, take cover immediately! Find a small room on the ground floor away from all windows and doors. Never try to outrun a tornado if you are caught outdoors in your vehicle. Take cover in a strong building or in a nearby ditch or culvert. If you live in a mobile home, move to a safe building or lie in a nearby ditch or culvert. Never remain in a mobile home if a tornado is approaching.
If you take these simple commonsense tips, you and your family can remain safe from these small but deadly storms. For more detailed info, you can go to JOESDISCOWEATHERCENTRAL.COM and click on Florida Hazardous Weather Awareness Info.
Now, on to the Time Capsule:
February 28, l954 -- morning -- south Florida/Keys -- Severe Thunderstorm winds damaged docks and small boats in West Palm Beach. Hail was heavy and reported as big as hen's eggs in Tavernier and Islamorada.
February 28, l989 -- Broward Co., Ft. Lauderdale -- Thunderstorms
produced l/2" hail and 7" rainfall that caused a mud slide at a
construction site that blocked traffic for several hours.
March 1, l980 -- Broward Co., Ft. Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach -- A tornado damaged apartments, businesses, schools, and homes. A woman was blown off her 6th floor balcony and killed. A fishing boat was found hanging from the power lines. Thirty-three injuries.
March 1 – 2, l994 -- Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Leon Counties -- Thunderstorms produced rainfall of five to 8 inches over the Florida panhandle. The 8.22 inches at Tallahassee was the sixth highest 24-hour total in the city's history. The rain caused widespread street and small stream flooding with damage to cars, mobile homes and a school. Four vehicles in Tallahassee were swept off roads, but no one was injured.
March 2, 1941 -- Freezing temperatures spread into south central Florida.
March 2, l972 -- Jackson Co., Mariana -- Thunderstorm winds capsized a boat and two men drowned. Tornadoes also struck Pensacola, Jay, and Port St. Joe.
March 2, 1994 -- central and south Florida -- Severe thunderstorms ahead of a strong low-pressure system and cold front spread over the peninsula. Tornadoes were reported in Polk, Charlotte, Collier, Broward, and Monroe Counties. Severe thunderstorm winds were reported in Sarasota, Pinellas, Polk, Volusia, Highlands, St. Lucie, Dade, and Duval Counties. The tornadoes were weak and thunderstorm wind gusts were in the 55 to 65 mph range. As a result there was no widespread property damage. The only injuries occurred in Collier Co. when a weak tornado rolled an unanchored mobile home injuring a man and woman inside. The woman was hospitalized.
March 3, l960 -- Lake/Orange Co. -- Tornado hit l0 homes in Orange Co. l small home was leveled and four people injured near Groveland.
March 3, l962 -- Palm Beach Co., Boynton Beach -- Wind driven waves washed l man off a fishing vessel and he drowned.
March 3 -- Outbreaks of four or more tornadoes have struck the Florida Peninsula on March 3rd in l97l, l978, and l99l, more than any other day.
March 3, l971 -- West Central Florida -- Tornado Outbreak -- Severe thunderstorms and seven tornadoes touched down from Ft. Myers and Sarasota to Tampa to Gainesville as a squall line crossed central Florida. Only l injury directly resulted from storms. A man drowned when his boat capsized in high winds.
March 3, l978 -- Central and South Florida -- Tornado outbreak - five tornadoes and l3 severe thunderstorms were reported from Tampa and Ft. Myers to West Palm Beach and Miami as a squall line crossed the peninsula ahead of a fast-moving cold front. Despite widespread minor property damage, only l injury was reported at Belle Glade.
March 3, l99l -- Statewide -- Severe Weather Outbreak. Many severe thunderstorms and at least eight tornadoes struck from Apalachicola to West Palm Beach as an intense squall line ahead of a cold front swept across the State. Thirty-four severe storm reports were received, but property damage was minor. This outbreak is noteworthy because the only injury was caused by 2.5" hail that crashed through the window of a car, knocking the driver unconscious in Volusia County at Ormond by the Sea. This is believed to be the only serious injury from hail in Florida since l959.
March 4, l972 -- Broward Co., Ft. Lauderdale -- Tornado damaged about l34 homes in the Pembroke Pines retirement area injuring six.
March 5, l970 -- Brevard Co., Titusville -- Tornado ripped through two subdivisions, damaging about 35 homes injuring seven.
March 6, l954 -- northern Florida -- Snow - Accumulated depths: -- Milton 4 inches; Niceville 3 inches; Pensacola 2 inches; Caryville l inch. Southern and eastern limits of reports of snow or sleet were Panama City, Live Oak, and Jacksonville.
March 6, l982 -- Pinellas, Dade, Highlands Co. -- A tornado moved through St. Petersburg, overturning four airplanes, damaging others, causing roof damage and downing power lines. A tornado in Miami damaged l00 homes, cars, and miles of power lines. A tornado in Sebring damaged l0 homes.
March 6, l992 -- Central Florida -- Hail up to l.75" covered the ground up to a foot deep in southwest Seminole County. 1.75" hail fell in Lake County and l.25" hail fell in Orange County. Severe Thunderstorm winds caused damage in Orange, Seminole, Brevard, and Indian River Counties. Damage ran into the millions, but there were no serious injuries.
March 7- 9, l962 -- Florida East Coast -- Beach Erosion -- Large waves generated by winds of an intense Atlantic storm pounded beaches along entire east Florida coast during three day period. Tides along the coast at time of high tide ranged two to 3 feet above normal. Superimposed wave action caused considerable erosion and several beach roads and properties were inundated. Greatest damages occurred between Melbourne and Miami Beach. One death in Miami Beach occurred while fighting an electrical fire caused when rising waters created a short circuit. Nearly all damages resulted from heavy ground swells rather than high tides.
That’s all for this weeks Time Capsule. I hope you enjoyed it. I love to hear from you! Please e-mail me your ideas and suggestions to JOESDISCOWEATHER@AOL.COM. As always, for the latest in severe weather updates and now winter weather updates from your hometown go to JOESDISCOWEATHERCENTRAL.COM! You can also join me for a free cup of coffee and a free copy of The Hometown News at the Stuart K Mart garden center every Saturday morning!